"Now," said Prudence briskly, "I want to make a bargain with you,
girls. If you'll stay clear away from the Ladies, and be very good and
orderly, I'll give you all the lemonade and cake you can drink
afterward."

"Oh, Prudence, I'm sure I can't drink much cake," cried Carol
tragically, "I just can't imagine myself doing it!"

"I mean, eat the cake, of course," said Prudence, blushing.

"And let us make taffy after supper?" wheedled Carol.

Prudence hesitated, and the three young faces hardened. Then Prudence
relented and hastily agreed. "You won't need to appear at all, you
know. You can just stay outdoors and play as though you were model
children."

"Yes," said Carol tartly, "the kind the members used to have,--which
are all grown up, now! And all moved out of Mount Mark, too!"

"Carol! That sounds malicious, and malice isn't tolerated here for a
minute. Now,--oh, Fairy, did you remember to dust the back of the
dresser in our bedroom?"

"Mercy! What in the world do you want the back of the dresser dusted
for? Do you expect the Ladies to look right through it?"

"No, but some one might drop something behind it, and it would have to
be pulled out and they would all see it. This house has got to be